The Play
We meet Alison when she comes home to Castle Top Farm from Manchester University for the wedding of the ‘live in help’ Becky Moss. The Circus, The Wakes, Christmas and the annual visit by the Irish harvesters are amongst the memories shared. They are the memories and thoughts of a woman who stepped beyond drystone walls and found fame and fortune but never forgot her roots.
Adapted for the stage by George Gunby and Creative Director John Tams, Derbyshire Childhood is the work of an all Derbyshire creative team.
Alison Uttley
Born Alice Taylor, at Castle Top Farm, Cromford, Alison’s career spanned over forty years with over 100 published titles. Her success was worldwide and A Traveller In Time became a BBC television series.
Alison Uttley’s Derbyshire Childhood vividly and nostalgically recalls life during the late Victorian period. We meet Alison when she comes home to Castle Top Farm from Manchester University for the wedding of the ‘live in help’ Becky Moss. The Circus, The Wakes, Christmas and the annual visit by the Irish harvesters are amongst the memories shared. They are the memories and thoughts of a woman who stepped beyond drystone walls and found fame and fortune but never forgot her roots.
Adapted for the stage by George Gunby and Creative Director John Tams, Derbyshire Childhood is the work of an all Derbyshire creative team.
Performances
Derby Theatre
Alison Uttley’s Derbyshire Childhood
Inspired by author Alison Uttley’s Country Child, this new play is based upon her childhood memories.
Friday 17 May & Saturday 18 May 2024
Curtain Up 8:00pm
Standard Ticket £15
Under 16s £13
Venue: The Studio, Derby Theatre, 15 Theatre Walk, St. Peter’s Quarter, Derby DE1 2NF
Box Office 01332 593939
Text Enquiries 07717 346 964
St Mary’s Church, Cromford
Alison Uttley’s Derbyshire Childhood
Inspired by author Alison Uttley’s Country Child, this new play is based upon her childhood memories.
Saturday 14 December 2024
Curtain Up 7:30pm
Standard Ticket £15
Venue: St Mary’s Church, Mill Rd., Cromford
Performance 7:30pm
Doors Open 7.00pm
Tickets available from
1st June 2024
On the Road
Alison Uttley’s Derbyshire Childhood
Following sell out performances at Derby Theatre, ‘ALISON UTTLEY’S DERBYSHIRE CHILDHOOD’ is ‘going on the road’.
If you run a theatre, a festival, a village hall or an arts centre contact GEORGE GUNBY to discuss the options in staging ‘ALISON UTTLEY’S DERBYSHIRE CHILDHOOD’.
MOBILE: 07847 478251
EMAIL: ggunby@myyahoo.com
CASTING CALL
Alison Uttley’s Derbyshire Childhood
As we prepare to take ALISON UTTLEY’S DERBYSHIRE CHILDHOOD on the road, we are looking for understudies as follows
ALISON UTTLEY To play 22 years Female.
HANNAH TAYLOR Alison’s mother. To play 50 – 60 years. Female.
HENRY TAYLOR Alison’s father. To play 60 years. Male.
BECKY MOSS Live in help. To play 25 years. Female.
Henry and Becky have strong Derbyshire accents.
Contact: George Gunby – Mobile 07847 478251
Email: ggunby@myyahoo.com
Cast
| Alison Uttley / Alice Taylor | Harriet Swann |
| Hannah Taylor | Sheila Kay Sly |
| Henry Taylor | Terry Stevenson |
| Becky Moss | Clare Mullen |
| Gabriel Thorn |
TBC |
Creative Team
| Director / Writer | George Gunby |
| CO-Director | Imogen Dowding |
| Creative Director | John Tams |
| Musical Director | Pete Bullock |
| Visual Director | Andy Mayers |
| Lighting & Sound | Dave Coull |
| Stage Manager/Props | Abby Catto |
| Marketing Manager | Grace Tomlinson |
| Printing & Publishing / Web Design | Mayers Design Ltd |
| Producer | Belper Arts Festival Ltd |
Alison Uttley’s Derbyshire Childhood
Friday 17 May / Saturday 18 May
A new play adapted by George Gunby from Alison Uttley’s ‘Country Child’ featuring Sally Pepper as Becky
Alison Uttley’s Derbyshire Childhood
Saturday 14th December
St Mary’s Church, Mill Rd., Cromford
A new play adapted by George Gunby from Alison Uttley’s ‘Country Child’ featuring Sally Pepper as Becky